It’s that time of year. A time to enjoy holiday festivities with friends, relatives, and colleagues. These guava empanadas are the perfect sweet treat to bring to such events. These empanadas stuffed with guava jam are a hit at FriendsGiving, posadas, and more. They are like mini individual pies and are absolutely delicious with a mug full of atole or champurrado. Trust me, these will quickly become a family favorite! I am so excited to share this recipe with you!

What is an empanada?

In different parts of Latin America, you will find different types of empanadas. For example, Argentinos enjoy savory dumplings stuffed with ground beef or savory cheese. Additionally, in El Salvador, you will find empanadas made of plantain and stuffed with beans. This empanada recipe that I will share with you today is sweet. It is inspired by Mexican pan dulce, or sweet bread.

The guava empanada that I will teach you to make today is like a mini, personal pie. This is why I love bringing it to FriendsGiving or Thanksgiving. This recipe makes 12 empanadas. So its great for get-togethers with friends, like that. I especially love brining these pastries to posadas. Paired with champurrado and its a great way to warm up!

Yes, this is a great holiday treat. See, for years now, I’ve enjoyed these empanadas toward the end of the year. For instance, once Day of the Dead hits, all the seasonal holiday Latin food comes out! As a result, I enjoy these empanadas, along with tamales and Mexican hot chocolate during the last months of the year, every year.

Certainly, these empanadas are as delicious as they are comforting. Sure, they taste great. But, for me personally, they have a huge nostalgia factor. That is because of everything I share and disclosed above.

Once you learn to make this dessert, I think it will quickly become a favorite for you and your loved ones as well. At least, I certainly hope so! This recipe is near and dear to me. And I hope that everyone who enjoys it gets that same special feeling that I do.

Latin pastries

You may know that I am a cookbook author. But, did you know I also grew up in a bakery? When I was little, my mom owned and operated a Mexican bakery! As a result, I grew up around sweet treats. Therefore, anytime I bake (in general, not just this recipe), it takes me back to my happy childhood.

This recipe is no exception. Dusting a countertop with flour. Gathering the dough into 12 equal-sized pieces. Using a rolling pin to flatten out the dough. It all reminds me of watching my mother in awe as she baked.

Generations of Baking Guava Empanadas…and more

I admired my mother then and continue to admire her today. For instance, I really look up to her entrepreneurial spirit. See, she studied baking through apprenticeships. For example, she learned in El Salvador, where she is from. Then, when she came to Los Angeles, she apprenticed in a Cuban bakery. Finally, she apprenticed in a Mexican bakery after that. Opening her own bakery was a culmination of her different experiences around pastries.

I am proud to say that this guava empanadas recipe is my mother’s own recipe! She taught it to me, and now I am excited to teach it to you!

How to make Guava Empanadas

To make guava empanadas you will need:

3 cups flour plus more for dusting.
Sugar, 1 cup
Baking powder, 1 tablespoon
Salt, 1 pinch
Cinnamon, 1 teaspoon
1 egg for batter + 1 egg for egg wash
Butter, one stick
½ tablespoon vanilla
½ cup milk
Guava paste, enough to fill your pastries
Cream cheese, enough to fill your pastries, optional

You will also need a rolling pin, a stand mixer, and a cookie sheet.

Now that you have gathered your ingredients, you are ready to start baking! Firstly, add all of the dry ingredients to your mixing bowl and stir. Secondly, add in egg, butter, and vanilla. Then, start to mix, adding in the milk, little by little. Then, continue to mix in your mixing bowl, until a dough is formed. This can take up 5 -10 minutes of mixing.

You are now ready to assemble the empanadas.

Firstly, divide the dough into 12 equal-sized spheres. Secondly, roll out each sphere to a flat, round shape (like a tortilla). Now, add 1 tablespoon of guava paste, and 1 tablespoon of cream cheese to the center of the dough. Then, fold the dough over, and pinch the edges of the dough to seal. You can use a fork to create designs at the edge of the dough (the seal). Or you can twist it to create your own design. Next, lay the empanadas on a cookie sheet. Then, brush with egg wash. Now, put into the oven and bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes! Finally, enjoy with Mexican hot chocolate or cafe de olla! Or, if you want to be a bit naughty this holiday season, enjoy these empanadas with a coffee martini. Check out even more drink recipes here.

If you like this recipe, then check out my blog and my cookbook for more delicious recipes.

Do you like baking? Check out more of my baking recipes here. Check out my dessert recipes here.

If you make this recipe, be sure to tag me! I’d love to see your creations. And please don’t forget to rate and comment!

Learn to make gluten free Salpores de arroz here.